Schools get creative
Artists, gardeners, singers and sculptors are going back to school in Herefordshire to share their skills with children and teachers and pick up one or two tips from the children along the way.
Herefordshire Council is funding a unique project which employs people from local creative industries to work in partnership with primary schools helping to bring the school curriculum to life and encourage children to develop new ways of thinking.
Creative partners range from architects to artists and include entrepreneurs, drama tutors, storytellers, gardeners and outdoor play professionals.
Five schools have already taken part, working with a creative person or company to bring areas of the curriculum to life.
Professional storyteller Lenny Alsop was employed to form a partnership with pupils at Our Lady’s School. The aim was to try and engage reluctant learners through storytelling.
Our Lady’s teacher Trisha Costorz. said: “The children responded brilliantly to Lenny and had great fun developing storytelling techniques of their own. The project seemed to have a positive influence on their behaviour and listening skills - it will be interesting to see the impact on the key stage one test results this year.”
A further five schools are currently involved in the scheme: Madley, Ashfield Park, Walford, Hampton Dene and Kingstone and Thruxton Primary Schools.
Jim Morris-Ridout from Copper Beech Garden Design Limited is working with children from Walford Primary School to create a unique garden designed by the children which includes an amphitheatre, shaded classroom, quiet spaces, vegetable garden and a decked walkway linking all the features together.
“The children have put a lot of energy and enthusiasm into designing this garden,” said Jim.
“We’ve developed an idea that will benefit many children for years to come providing a space to be reflective,” he continued.
“There’s huge potential for developing outdoor spaces for education and for learning through play.”
Walford’s garden project will begin after Easter and take around eight weeks to complete.
